Social Psychology Areas of Focus and Cultural Influences
Social Psychology
Textbook : Myers, D.G., & Twenge, J.M. (2019).Social Psychology(13th ed.). New York: McGraw- Hill Education. (ISBN 13: 9781260397116).
link: https://b-ok.cc/book/11638157/5ed814
Assignment #1 Essay
Applied Learning Activity: Essay – Social Psychology Areas of Focus and Cultural Influences
Before the Assignment:
Social psychology is a field that focuses on big ideas, or as your textbook describes, “great ideas we ought never forget.” When reading about these big ideas, it is important to keep in mind that these principles in social psychology are not based on hunches or intuition; rather, the theories and concepts in social psychology are evidence-based and derived from psychological research. This research seeks to take subjective phenomenon happening in the social world and make them objective, with the purpose of understanding scientifically how these societal factors shape the individual. Keep this in mind throughout the course, This research tries to take subjective things that happen in the social world and make them objective. The goal is to find out how these things affect the individual in a scientific way. Keep this in mind all through the course, because the work you turn in must be based on facts, not guesses, opinions, or assumptions. Also, it’s important to think about things that shape the self that have nothing to do with one’s own worldview. Take western culture as an example. as the work you turn in must be based on factual information versus assumptions, conjecture, or opinion. In addition, it is important to consider influencing factors outside of one’s own worldview that shape the self. For example, western culture (individualism/independence) shapes the self differently than do cultures that focus on collectivism/ interdependence. As such, these societal influences can be embedded in institutions and in the psyche of people from different races, ethnicities, and/or national origins.
● Read Chapters 1 & 2 in the Myers textbook.
● Watch the video How Identities are Socially Constructed.
○ How our identities are socially constructed. ● Read the article Unseen Disadvantage.
○ Unseen disadvantage: How American Universities’ focus on independence undermines academic performance of first-generation college students.
Assignment:
Select TWO of the “big ideas” from your textbook, and in your own words, describe the premise of the two big idea(s) you chose. Then, relate these two big ideas to your own life; i.e., give an example from either your personal life or perhaps from an event you have recently heard of that applies to one or more of the two big ideas” on which you chose to focus. (1-11⁄2 pages)
Describe how culture shapes self-concept from both individualistic and collectivist perspectives. (textbook and video) (2-3 paragraphs)
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3. Discuss how academic institutions foster an individualistic mindset, and how this independent view marginalizes students with a collectivist/interdependent cultural perspective. (1 page)
Instructions:
● Paper length is approximately 750 words (3 pages; do not go over 1200 words).
● Include both cover and reference pages.
● Begin with an introductory paragraph that includes a clear thesis statement. Be sure that you are writing one cohesive essay.
● End the paper with a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis.
● Cite THREE sources. This must include the textbook, video and research article. When in
doubt, cite. It is better to over cite than to under cite.
● Explain- do not simply summarize- the social psychology concepts. Use your own words
and paraphrase throughout your essay.
● Do not use “quoted material” unless the author’s original words are critical to understanding the point (i.e. MLK- “I have a dream.”). Otherwise, all information should be paraphrased.
● Define research terms and give real world examples where appropriate.
● If you need help with these writing components, review the required writing resources
for this class and/or the APA tutorial.
● Refer to the rubric for grading criteria.
